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OVERVIEW

An APS Investigator Specialist protects the elderly and adults with disabilities who are unable to protect themselves. An APS Investigator Specialist has a very challenging job that can be stressful at times –but there are few occupations that offer more opportunities to learn new things about families, your community and yourself.

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

 

Essential Job Functions:

  • Investigates reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of elderly or disabled adults to assess the urgency of the problem by interviewing clients, family members and other to gather social, functional, physical and mental- emotional information for evaluation.
  • Provides services after normal working hours and on weekends to maintain 24 hour coverage, including receiving reports of alleged abuse, neglect or exploitation.
  • Determines temporary or long-term action to be taken to remove or lessen an immediate threat to the life or health of an adult protective services client to include counseling clients and caregivers, providing information and referral services, testifying in court to seek emergency protective services, finding alternate housing when necessary, and providing on-going services.
  • Develops individualized service plans to meet the needs of the adult protective services client and maintains detailed documentation on each case.
  • Makes presentations and participates in community awareness and related activities to inform the public about the program.
  • Prepares routine, statistical, and special reports for management.
  • Serves in lead capacity in absence of supervisor.
  • Performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations.
  • Promotes and demonstrates appropriate respect for cultural diversity among coworkers and all work-related contacts.
  • Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

  • Knowledge of agency policies, procedures, and standards.
  • Knowledge of Texas laws relating to adult protective services.
  • Knowledge of gerontology and the dynamics of the aging process.
  • Knowledge of special problems of the aged and disabled.
  • Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques and skills.
  • Knowledge of differing cultures/ethnic groups and values.
  • Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
  • Skill in effective verbal and written communication.
  • Ability to work effectively with difficult abuse/neglect complaints.
  • Ability to empathize and provide encouragement to disabled adultsand the elderly and to helpthem meet particular needs and alleviate problems.
  • Ability to operate a personal computer and various software packages.
  • Ability to operate standard office equipment including fax and copy machines.
  • Ability to make homevisits in isolated or high crimeareas that may involve exposure to substandard and unsanitary living conditions.
  • Ability to be on call in order to receive reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
  • Ability to work with violent and dangerous individuals.